NR 08-002 - July 17, 2008
CFB GAGETOWN, N.B. - The 2008 Canadian Forces Combat Shooting Team (CFCST) is back in Canada after much success at the International Small Arms Competition in Bisley, United Kingdom. This competition is world renowned, bringing together military marksmen from as far away as Australia, New Zealand and the Sultanate of Oman to compete head to head in some of the most competitive military shooting there is.
After four weeks of training, the team won the very first event, the National Rifle Association (NRA) Falling Plates match, putting an end to Oman's nine year winning streak. By the second day, every CFCST member was ranked in the top fifty shooters among all two hundred and forty competitors. On 10 July, Canadians won third place, ahead of Australia and New Zealand, in the International Service Rifle Championship which encompassed the aggregate of all matches from the previous four days. That very afternoon, they came in second for the Army Rifle Association (ARA) Falling Plates match. On 11 July, the battle for The Methuen Cup saw the Canadian team rank second behind Oman for the international teams and third overall (including the United Kingdom teams). The CFCST generally stayed ahead of Australia and New Zealand throughout the competition, winning gold in the Brinsmead match, silver in the Mappin match and seeing many team members earning bronze bars.
"It's a privilege for me to be the Team Captain" said Major Jacques Gobin of 4 Air Defence Regiment at CFB Gagetown. His unit had such good representation during the 2007 Canadian Forces Small Arms Competition, where the best shooters qualify to go to Bisley that they were asked to administer the 2008 CFCST. "There were many objectives in sending a CF team to Bisley, including honouring historical ties to the Commonwealth, recognizing/rewarding results from CFSAC, and promoting combat shooting within the CF" he explained, adding that he has been very impressed with the team members' passion for shooting.
These premier Canadian Forces shooters proved to be international level competitors and represented our country very well during this prestigious event. They've enhanced their marksmanship skills and have gained valuable experience and self-confidence that will stay with them for the remainder of their service to our country. More importantly, the knowledge these individuals acquired will be passed along within their respective units and the return of that technical expertise to other members of the Canadian Forces will only serve to benefit and improve our military capabilities.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information or to contact team members, please call CFB Gagetown Public Affairs at (506) 422-2000, extension 2466.
